About Us

Who we are

The Support After Suicide Partnership strives to provide individuals who have been bereaved by suicide with appropriate and timely support. We are a special interest group of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance who focuses on supporting those bereaved or affected by suicide. SASP works as a collaborative network to provide effective advocation, signposting and research within suicide bereavement in order to ensure bereaved individuals are equipped with the support and resources they need.

About

See our teams below

Hub Team

Sarah Bates

Executive Lead of the SASP

Since taking up post in 2016, Sarah has worked to raise awareness of the need for suicide bereavement support, increase the capacity of support, update and promote resources such as Help is at Hand and Finding the Words, and works tirelessly to drive change in the field of suicide prevention. Sarah is a Winston Churchill Fellow, and completed her Fellowship in Japan and Hong Kong in 2018. Sarah has a background in psychology (MA Hons) and neuroscience (PhD). With over 15 years’ experience of working with children and young people, she previously worked for Sistema Scotland, helping transform the lives of children through music.

Saira Waheed

Project Manager at the SASP

Saira has a BSc in psychology and is continuing her studies by pursuing a masters in mental health. She also volunteers at The Listening Place, a charity which supports individuals who are suicidal. Her passion for mental health and helping others has made her dedicated towards working within suicide bereavement.

Holly Tolson

Project Manager at the SASP

After completing a placement with the partnership in the summer of 2018, Holly now works as a project manager at SASP, working with members and supporters, and helping to expand our network of support. She also works to help develop formal partnerships with service providers such as Coroners and Funeral directors. Holly is currently studying a Psychology Degree (BSc) at City, University of London, and was awarded ‘Micro-placement student of the year, 2018’ for her work with SASP during her placement.

Leadership Team

Hamish Elvidge

Chair of the SASP

Hamish Elvidge had a 30-year career in J Sainsbury plc as Finance, IT and Change Director and as Competition Inquiry Director. He is chair of The Matthew Elvidge Trust, which was formed after his son Matthew took his own life. The Trust aims to increase everyone’s understanding of the importance of mental health and ensure people seek and receive the right professional support. He is a member of various other organisations including the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group.

Fergus Crow

Vice Chair of the SASP

Fergus is the CEO of Winston’s Wish and joined as Chief Executive in October 2015. He has held several roles in education and children’s services. Fergus believes passionately that with the right support at the right time children who have been bereaved can learn to live with their grief, adjust to the changes that the death of someone close to them inevitably brings, and go on to lead full and flourishing lives. This belief stems not only from his professional understanding but also from his own experience of losing his father to cancer when Fergus was 19.

Anne Embury

Anne holds postgraduate qualifications in Counselling & Psychotherapy and a Master’s Degree in Reflective Practice. She is a Senior Accredited member of BACP with over 20 years’ experience working in NHS mental health services, including practice as a therapist and supervisor within an IAPT service. Anne is employed by Outlook South West, a provider of mental health services in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, and has been instrumental in developing the first NHS-commissioned postvention service in England to support adults bereaved by suicide. As a Churchill Fellow, Anne visited Australia and New Zealand in 2014 to observe best practice in community-based postvention services in those countries which include the delivery of suicide bereavement support groups. In Cornwall, she has developed an 8-week evidence-based Grief Education Programme for people bereaved by suicide which has proven to be effective in helping to facilitate resilience and wellbeing in the bereaved. As a member of the Support After Suicide Partnership, Anne has co-edited with the chair of the National Bereavement Alliance UK, guidelines for the delivery of bereavement support groups.

Richard Brown

Listening Ear is a specialist counselling and therapeutic service based in Liverpool. In 2012, Richard joined Listening Ear which delivers a range of activities with specific focus on bereavement support. Richard is also on the board of “SEN Merseyside”, having previously been Chair for four years, and is Chair of Knowsley Supporting Families Forum. Prior to the work at Listening Ear, Richard worked at a range of roles at The Big Issue in the North/ Trust for 16 years, ultimately as the Managing Director.

Penny Fosten

Penny has led the NSPA for over 2 years, in which time she has overseen the development and launch of their Resources Hub, grown organisational and individual membership by over 100% and worked with Public Health England to refresh their Suicide Prevention Planning Guidance for Local Authorities. Before joining the NSPA she had ten years’ experience of working to improve well-being, including establishing a ‘reading for well-being’ programme in London – helping to reduce loneliness, build confidence and connection, and enhance people’s understanding of themselves and others. Previously, Penny spent five years volunteering within suicide prevention.

Shirley Smith

Shirley started If U Care Share Foundation with her husband Dean due to their own experiences after losing their eldest son Daniel at the age of 19. There was a need for support, education and awareness to the problem of suicide. She is now an active member of the SASP and the Leadership Team, including taking a leading role in our research projects.

David Mosse

David Mosse is the Chair of the Haringey Suicide Prevention Group, and member of The Alliance of Suicide Prevention Charities (TASC). He has been a Trustee of Mind in Haringey since 2015 and is strongly committed to improving mental health services. David is a Professor of Social Anthropology and Research Co-ordinator, and Head of Department at SOAS, University of London. His personal experience of bereavement by suicide has made him passionate about suicide prevention and working against mental health stigma.